Remember back at D9, where Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 8 for the first time? I think it was Steven Sinofsky and Julie Larson-Green who presented the whole presentation. They revealed the new tablet UI that was rumoured to be in development, and everyone was amazed.

But what we're your initial reactions? I just can't seem to think people automatically thought that Windows 8 wasn't going to be popular among desktop users. I remember seeing it and thinking "wow, I can't wait for Windows 8". The only time I thought it was a hassle to use was when the Developer Preview launched in September, since in that build the Start Screen wasn't really optimized for the mouse and keyboard.

In fact, Windows 8 made me change the way I use my desktop. I used to have a 22" standard LCD monitor, but since September of 2011, when Microsoft released the Developer Preview, I purchased myself a 23" touch screen monitor... Which was to be used on my gaming machine. Yes, gaming machine.

For me, Windows 8 has always been something positive in my eyes, however I feel as if for the most part, initial reactions were good, but then people had a proper feel for it and were scared away by the removal of the start button and other old goodies.

But what we're your initial reactions? I just can't seem to think people automatically thought that Windows 8 wasn't going to be popular among desktop users. I remember seeing it and thinking "wow, I can't wait for Windows 8".

That was about right for most people. Then Microsoft removed the start menu. It was about then when they ****ed a lot of users off. It's understandable why Microsoft have done it. They needed people to get in on the idea of apps for Windows for their ecosystem they've created to fight off the likes of Apple and Google's Marketplaces/stores on the mobile platforms.Unfortunately for Microsoft they're using their desktop users as a quick way to enforce and create a user-base.

I personally do like Windows 8, even with the forced (and somewhat broken app ecosystem/setup we have). All the under the hood tweaks make it so much faster.My first impressions of Windows 8 was a bit weird since I didn't see a reason why we needed a new version after Windows 7, and Microsoft as always trying to hide what the final look was going to be meant it was always going to up in the air with the final design, and its proved it self with the removal of the start menu but no way to remove the rest of the classic desktop system.

at first i was like
"Oooooh clean ... wait ..... how do i get to the desktop UGHHHH .... Ohh,... i see, ....... wait, where's the start button ... how do i access hard drives, where are the programs ..... aghhhhhh WTF !!!#$^#&!!"

but then i was like
"ah, this is not so bad, .... i'll just pin this here, this one here, and this one here ..... home screen,... remove panel,... DONE ..... ahhhh sweeeeeeeet"

I remember being really excited for Windows 8. I wanted to play with the Start Screen. It had all these flashy fly-ins and big hit targets and just felt refreshing.
Then I installed the DP on my laptop and it was stuttering all over the place. The lack of proper driver support at the time kinda soured my experience.

I now use Windows 8 full time, and to be fair, I kinda feel like how i did when I had Windows 7: it's an operating system, I don't feel anything for it. The differences between each Windows version eventually become transparent over time to the average user like me.

Looks nice.
OMG Im moving my mouse way too much.
Now why cant I add a shutdown button to the Start Page
God my Start page is looking messy
I wish these metro apps were a bit more detailed.
Why does it keep jumping from my desktop to metro
Stick with it
My 23 inch screen is being wasted
How long until Blue?

Thats pretty much what went through my head during the first week. I just find Win 8 to be a step back on my desktop, Im sure it would be cool on a tablet, but Im not planning on getting a tablet so this is a desktop users view. Im not going to install Start8 but I do need somewhere to put all my options that used to be in the Start Menu because its too much on the Start page.